The Għajn Dwieli tunnel, commonly used as an access road for Cottonera, will be closed from Tuesday to Friday next week, Bormla Local Council has said.

Posting on Facebook, the council said the tunnel would be closed from September 9 to 12 "due to restoration works on the shaft walls".

The council urged motorists to use alternative routes.

In 2021, Infrastructure Malta carried out €2.2 million restoration works on the tunnel, reinforcing its structural integrity and upgrading amenities, including lighting.

The Ghajn Dwieli Tunnel extends 110 metres beneath St Paul's Bastion. It features two lanes, one in each direction, to connect Ghajn Dwieli Road, Paola, with the Three Cities.

The British Royal Navy built the tunnel and its approach roads in 1900 following the destruction of bastions and the ornate St Paul's Gate to make way for two new drydocks.